illustratesAndre Toma
editionFelipe van Deursen
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), better known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), is a condition in which there is inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. These signs must manifest themselves persistently and, in addition, they must impair living in society or the development of the person. A subject of much academic controversy and often confused with the agitated behavior typical of some children, ADD actually has very specific characteristics – many of them in common with the symptoms of other disorders (see the chart on the next page). To complicate matters a little more, there are three subtypes of ADD: with a predominance of inattention, with a predominance of hyperactivity or impulsivity, and with a predominance of both.
SERIES PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
1 – What is OCD?
2 – What is schizophrenia?
3 – What is bipolar disorder?
4 – What is attention deficit disorder?
5 – What is psychopathy?
to and fro
Specific symptoms characterize each type of disorder.
Pay attention!
In ADD with predominant inattention, there must be at least six of the nine symptoms below, for six months or more, with a negative impact on the person’s life or development. That is, it is not just any trip that qualifies the disorder. If he is under 17, five symptoms are enough
– Lack of attention to detail
– Difficulty staying focused
– Apparent inattention or absence
– Failure to follow instructions or complete tasks
– Difficulty with organization
– Reluctance with tasks that require sustained mental effort
– Easy to lose items needed on a daily basis
– Tendency to be distracted by extraneous stimuli
– Ease of forgetting appointments
Stop still!
In ADD with a predominance of hyperactivity, the rationale is the same: at least six of these symptoms for at least one semester and a negative impact on the person’s life or development. So, it’s not just any kid with an ant in his underwear that has ADD. And again, if he’s under 17, five symptoms are enough.
– Shaking hands and feet
– Difficulty sitting still
– Running or climbing objects at inappropriate times (in adults, agitation is enough)
– Difficulty doing activities quietly
– Speak a lot
– Difficulty speaking calmly
– Interrupting others’ sentences
– Tendency to intrude on others’ activities
– Difficulty waiting for turn
ATTENTION:Symptoms need to occur in more than one setting, such as school, work, and home
READ ALSO: What Causes Depression?
What causes ADD?
Pregnancy influences more than family environment
Some specific genes have been linked to the condition, but none have the power to cause it alone. Newborns weighing less than 1.5 kg are two to three times more likely to develop ADD, and there is evidence that smoking or drinking during pregnancy can also increase these chances. On the other hand, the functioning of the family environment is not considered a factor for the development of the condition.
ONE LAST CURIOSITY: Of every three people with ADD, two are men
Consultancy Leda Arruda Chaves, psychologist Source Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disordersfifth edition (DSM-5)